Compass Group Equity Partners

Compass Group Equity Partners is a St. Louis-based private equity firm specializing in lower middle-market companies. Founded in 2014, the firm focuses on investments ranging from $1 million to $15 million in companies with annual sales between $20 million and $100 million. Their primary sectors include manufacturing, distribution, and business services.

The firm's investment strategy is thesis-driven, emphasizing macroeconomic analysis and market research to identify opportunities in niche markets such as electronic manufacturing, process and industrial automation, food ingredients, life science/healthcare services, and veterinary hospital management. They seek to partner with entrepreneur and family-owned businesses that have reached an inflection point for growth and desire continued participation and partnership in the business.

Since its inception, Compass Group has invested in 14 portfolio companies and more than 230 bolt-on acquisitions, completing four exits with returns exceeding expectations. Their approach combines capital investment with hands-on support and value-added expertise to accelerate growth and enhance performance for their partner companies.

Investment requirements include enterprise values of $20 million to $200 million, EBITDA between $2 million and $15 million, and strong margin and cash flow generation. The firm's geographic focus aligns with its Midwestern presence and values, targeting companies in the United States, particularly in the Mid-America region between the mountain ranges.